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Caramelized Pork Spare Ribs

Easy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Spare ribs

Sharon Nguyen
These Caramelized Pork Spare Ribs are SO GOOD and easy to make! These ribs are savory, sticky, and slightly sweet, perfect with a bowl of steaming white rice.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Comfort Food, Vietnamese
Servings 4
Calories 1290 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 3.5 lbs Pork Spare Ribs (Ask butcher to cut into 1-1.5" pieces)
  • 1 lbs Shrimp
  • 2 Shallots
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic - 5 Cloves
  • 1 Onion - Small
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Mushroom Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Chicken Powder
  • ¼ cup Water or ½ cup Coconut water
  • or Coconut Soda
  • 1 tablespoon Caramel Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Garnish

  • 1 Green onion (Sliced)
  • Thai Peppers

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Instructions
 

  • Preheat your pan to medium high and add oil and sugar:
    2 tablespoon Sugar, 1 tablespoon oil
  • Do not mix until the sugar starts to caramelize. Once the sugar starts caramelizing, at about 3 minutes, mix and watch closely so it does not burn.
  • After 1-2 minutes the caramel turns a medium, then dark brown, add in half of the spare ribs one by one. This happens quickly so have your ribs ready to go. Adding in the ribs slowly will keep the pan hot enough to brown the ribs with the caramel sauce.
  • After about 3-5 minutes, add the other half of the ribs to the pan slowly.
  • While the ribs are browning, dice shallots, garlic and onions
    2 Shallots, 1 Onion - Small, 1 tablespoon Garlic - 5 Cloves
  • After another 3-5 Once all the ribs are browned , add in the diced shallots, onions garlic, and seasonings:
    1 tablespoon Mushroom Seasoning, 1 tablespoon Chicken Powder, 1 tablespoon Caramel Sauce, 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce , ¼ cup Water or ½ cup Coconut water
  • Bring to a boil, and Cover and simmer on medium/ medium low for 45 minutes (Chewy Rib) - 1 hour (Fall off the bone)
  • While the ribs are simmering, slice green onions for garnish and prepare shrimp
  • Devein the shrimp, remove head and shell if preferred. I like to leave the shell and tail on.
  • At about the 45 mark, check the ribs for tenderness. If the ribs are tender enough or almost done, remove the lid turn to medium high and let some of the liquids evaporate for about 5-10 minutes for a sticky rib. Leave about ½" of liquids for a sticky rib as the sauce will thicken after turning off the stove. If you like a soupier rib, continue to simmer with the lid on if it is not tender enough yet, or add some water until desired consistency is reached.
  • Once some liquids have evaporated, add the shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes or until fully cooked.
  • Garnish with green onions and Thai chilis and serve with white rice.

Video

@thesavorychopstick Easy Vietnamese Caramelized ribs, click the green button on bottom left for full recipe. #vietnamesefood #easyrecipe #recipesoftiktok #foodtiktok #asianfood #ribs ♬ Love Story - Frozen Silence

Notes

If you would like to cook an entire slab of spare ribs, adjust the serving size below to about 5-6. If you would like to make a smaller portion, adjust servings down to your desired serving size.

Nutrition

Calories: 1290kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 85gFat: 97gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gMonounsaturated Fat: 36gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 500mgSodium: 1144mgPotassium: 1379mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 36IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 5mg
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